157 The Impact of Direct Expenditures of Diving Tourism towards the Economy of Coastal Balinese I Wayan Suardana1, Saroyeni Piartrini2, and Ni Made Ariani3 1Tourism and Travel Industry, Faculty of Tourism, Badung Bali Email:
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[email protected] Telp/Fax: (0361) 223798 2Accounting Major, Faculty of Economics, Badung Bali 3D4 (Diploma) Tourism, Faculty of Tourism, Badung Bali ABSTRACT This research illustrates the extent of correlation between the local economy and marine ecosystem services. Apart from being recreational destinations oriented to the economy, Tulamben and Pemuteran are places where coral reefs ecosystem grows and develops. Hence, it needs to be properly conserved. This study found the estimated number of tourists who dive and snorkel in these two areas, it reaches 297.752 per year, with actual annual expenditures amount to US$ 283.2 million. The economic impact of the whole diving tourism in Tulamben and Pemuteran approximately ranges from US$ 396.4 million to US$ 1.059.7 million per year. The high economic value achieved by the government and the local communities as a whole indicates a significant increase of diving activities in both areas. This result suggests that local economy and marine ecosystem services are closely related. However, tourism and the perception aroused about the environmental issues and values not only provide opportunities for macro business improvement but also pose a threat to the sustainability of the underwater ecosystem. Keywords: direct expenditures, ecosystem services, diving 158 I. INTRODUCTION concluding the components’ values based on the previously conducted research. Tourism is one of the many development activities with Based on the above issues, the general purpose of this promising remarkable progress.